This study investigates the mechanism by which Xintong Granules improve myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI) through the regulation of gut microbiota and their metabolites, specifically short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs). Rats were randomly divided based on body weight into the sham operation group, model group, low-dose Xintong Granules group(1.43 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), medium-dose Xintong Granules group(2.86 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), high-dose Xintong Granules group(5.72 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and metoprolol group(10 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). After 14 days of pre-administration, the MIRI rat model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. The myocardial infarction area was assessed using the 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining method. Apoptosis in tissue cells was detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL) assay. Pathological changes in myocardial cells and colonic tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), creatine kinase MB isoenzyme(CK-MB), and cardiac troponin T(cTnT) in rat serum were quantitatively measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) kits. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), creatine kinase(CK), and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in myocardial tissue, as well as the level of malondialdehyde(MDA), were determined using colorimetric assays. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing, and fecal SCFAs were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS). The results show that Xintong Granules significantly reduced the myocardial infarction area, suppressed cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and decreased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), myocardial injury markers(CK-MB, cTnT, LDH, and CK), and oxidative stress marker MDA. Additionally, Xintong Granules significantly improved intestinal inflammation in MIRI rats, regulated gut microbiota composition and diversity, and increased the levels of SCFAs(acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, etc.). In summary, Xintong Granules effectively alleviate MIRI symptoms. This study preliminarily confirms that Xintong Granules exert their inhibitory effects on MIRI by regulating gut microbiota imbalance and increasing SCFA levels.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Humans ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/genetics* ; Malondialdehyde/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the variability of bone metabolism levels among different populations and its association with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) pain. METHODS: A total of 50 people (control group) who participated in physical examination from January 2023 to June 2023 were selected, including 26 males and 24 females, wtih a mean aged of (52.14±9.04) years old ranging 41 to 65 years old. The other 50 patients with knee osteoarthritis(case group) who attended the outpatient clinic of the Orthopedics and Traumatology Department in the same time period, including 19 males and 31 females, with a mean age of (53.60±7.76) years old ranging 40 to 65 years. The two groups of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC) and bone metabolism markers, such as 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol[25(OH)D], β-isomerized typeⅠcollagen C-telopeptide breakdown products (β-CTX), total typeⅠprocollagen N-terminal propeptide (t-PINP), osteocalcin (OC), parathormone (PTH) levels were compared. Pearson correlation analysis was used to compare the correlation between two groups of bone metabolism related markers and WOMAC. RESULTS: The WOMAC score of the case group (39.90±2.34) was higher than that of the control group (3.60±0.57), with significant difference (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups of 25 (OH)D, β-CTX and PTH (P>0.05). The t-PINP and OC of the case group were (62.90±52.40) and (19.88±10.15) ng·ml-1, respectively, and those of the control group were (38.86±10.82) and (14.90±3.62) ng·ml^-1, respectively;the t-PINP and OC of the case group were higher than those of the control group, with significant difference (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that t-PINP was positively correlated with WOMAC pain score in the case group (r²=0.045, P<0.01). CONCLUSION Bone metabolism levels in the serum of patients with knee osteoarthritis are different from those of healthy people, and the difference between OC and t-PINP is the most obvious, and the concentration of t-PINP levels is positively correlated with pain symptoms in patients with KOA. However, the specific mechanism of correlation between the bone metabolism levels of patients with KOA and their pain symptoms needs to be further elucidated by basic experimental research as well as by enlarging the samples.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/metabolism* ; Aged ; Adult ; Bone and Bones/metabolism* ; Pain/etiology* ; Biomarkers/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical and imaging features of children with influenza-associated encephalopathy (IAE), and to investigate the influencing factors for prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical data (clinical data, laboratory examinations, imaging data, and prognosis) of 23 children with IAE who were diagnosed and treated in Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from May 2022 to April 2023. RESULTS: Among the 23 patients, 18 (78%) had influenza A and 5 (22%) had influenza B. All patients had fever and encephalopathy, and 20 patients (87%) had seizures, while 11 patients (48%) had persistent convulsions. There were 10 patients (43%) with an increase in alanine aminotransferase, 14 (61%) with an increase in aspartate aminotransferase, and 18 (78%) with an increase in lactate dehydrogenase. Abnormal imaging findings were observed in 20 patients (87%), among whom 10 (43%) had acute necrotizing encephalopathy. All 23 patients received peramivir or oseltamivir. Of all patients, 12 (52%) achieved complete recovery, 5 (22%) had varying degrees of neurological dysfunction, and 6 (26%) died. Compared with the good prognosis group, the poor prognosis group had significantly higher levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Fever and convulsions are the most common symptoms of children with IAE, and acute necrotizing encephalopathy is the most common clinical imaging syndrome. Increases in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase have a certain value in predicting poor prognosis.
Humans ; Influenza, Human/complications* ; Male ; Prognosis ; Female ; Child, Preschool ; Retrospective Studies ; Infant ; Child ; Brain Diseases/etiology*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of TBL1XR1 mutation on cell biological characteristics of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). METHODS: The TBL1XR1 overexpression vector was constructed and DNA sequencing was performed to determine the mutation status. The effect of TBL1XR1 mutation on apoptosis of DLBCL cell line was detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL fluorescence assay; CCK-8 assay was used to detect the effect of TBL1XR1 mutation on cell proliferation; Transwell assay was used to detect the effect of TBL1XR1 mutation on cell migration and invasion; Western blot was used to detect the effect of TBL1XR1 mutation on the expression level of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related proteins. RESULTS: The TBL1XR1 overexpression plasmid was successfully constructed. The in vitro experimental results showed that TBL1XR1 mutation had no significant effect on apoptosis of DLBCL cells. Compared with the control group, TBL1XR1 mutation enhanced cell proliferation, migration and invasion of DLBCL cells. TBL1XR1 gene mutation significantly increased the expression of N-cadherin protein, while the expression of E-cadherin protein decreased. CONCLUSION TBL1XR1 mutation plays a role in promoting tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion in DLBCL. TBL1XR1 could be considered as a potential target for DLBCL therapy in future research.
Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology* ; Cell Proliferation ; Mutation ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/genetics* ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Cell Movement ; Repressor Proteins/genetics* ; Nuclear Proteins/genetics* ; Cadherins/metabolism*

Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are a structurally diverse group of plant metabolites renowned for their pharmacological properties. However, sustainable sources for these compounds remain limited. Consequently, researchers are focusing on elucidating BIA biosynthetic pathways and genes to explore alternative sources using synthetic biology approaches. CYP80B, a family of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes, plays a crucial role in BIA biosynthesis. Previously reported CYP80Bs are known to catalyze the 3'-hydroxylation of (S)-N-methylcoclaurine, with the N-methyl group essential for catalytic activity. In this study, we successfully cloned a full-length CYP80B gene (StCYP80B) from Stephania tetrandra (S. tetrandra) and identified its function using a yeast heterologous expression system. Both in vivo yeast feeding and in vitro enzyme analysis demonstrated that StCYP80B could catalyze N-methylcoclaurine and coclaurine into their respective 3'-hydroxylated products. Notably, StCYP80B exhibited an expanded substrate selectivity compared to previously reported wild-type CYP80Bs, as it did not require an N-methyl group for hydroxylase activity. Furthermore, StCYP80B displayed a clear preference for the (S)-configuration. Co-expression of StCYP80B with the CYP450 reductases (CPRs, StCPR1, and StCPR2), also cloned from S. tetrandra, significantly enhanced the catalytic activity towards (S)-coclaurine. Site-directed mutagenesis of StCYP80B revealed that the residue H205 is crucial for coclaurine catalysis. Additionally, StCYP80B exhibited tissue-specific expression in plants. This study provides new genetic resources for the biosynthesis of BIAs and further elucidates their synthetic pathway in natural plant systems.
Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/chemistry* ; Benzylisoquinolines/chemistry* ; Hydroxylation ; Plant Proteins/chemistry* ; Alkaloids/metabolism* ; Stephania tetrandra/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

DNA polymerase theta (Polθ), also known as DNA polymerase θ, is the member of the DNA polymerase A family and plays a crucial role in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB). Polθ has 3 distinct structural domains: the N-terminal helicase-like domain with a conserved sequence, the C-terminal polymerase domain, and the central domain, which is a disordered sequence connecting these two regions. Notably, Polθ is the only known polymerase in eukaryotes that possesses helicase activity. However, it is also an error-prone polymerase. When DNA DSBs occur, a specialized network consisting of at least 4 pathways, including classical-non homologous end joining (C-NHEJ), homologous recombination (HR), single-strand annealing (SSA), and alternative-end joining (Alt-EJ), is responsible for repairing DNA damage caused by DSBs. In the absence of major DNA repair pathways like HR, cells rely on Alt-EJ pathway mediated by Polθ to repair damaged DNA and maintain genomic stability. Nevertheless, due to the low fidelity of Polθ, Alt-EJ repair often leads to errors. Depletion of Polθ has shown to increases DSB formation and compromise genomic stability. Conversely, overexpression of Polθ has been associated with increases DNA damage markers and impairs cell cycle progression. As a result, the impact of Polθ on genome stability remains controversial. Furthermore, overexpression of Polθ is frequently observed in cancer and is associated with a characteristic mutational signature and poor prognosis. Depleting Polθ in an HR-deficient background has been shown to impair cell viability, suggesting a synthetic lethal (SL) relationship between Polθ and HR factors. In recent years, targeted chemotherapy drugs that inhibit tumor growth have gained significant attention. However, off-target effects and drug resistance pose challenges for clinical application, particularly with poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitor (PARPi). Blocking Polθ activity in HR-deficient tumor cells has been found to reverse PARPi resistance, making Polθ a very promising therapeutic target in cancer treatment. The availability of crystal structures for both helicase and polymerase domain has facilitated the design of potent inhibitors of Polθ. Currently, several highly specific and effective small molecule inhibitors targeting Polθ, such as Novobiocin, RP-6685, and ART558, have been reported to effectively block various cancers with HR deficiency. The initial success of these inhibitors points to new directions for treating BRCA1/2-mutated tumors. Additionally, reducing the Alt-EJ repair pathway mediated by Polθ can improve HR repair efficiency and increase the chance of exogenous gene target integration (TI), suggesting potential new applications for Polθ inhibitors. This article reviews the recent research progress on the molecular function of Polθ and its involvement in the Alt-EJ pathway modification mechanism, providing insights for a deeper understanding of this field.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of oral use of Jiawei Puji Xiaodu Granules(mainly composed of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos,Forsythiae Fructus,Taraxaci Herba,Violae Herba,Schizonepetae Herba,Arctii Fructus,Gleditsiae Spina,Paeoniae Radix Rubra,Moutan Cortex,and Phragmitis Rhizoma)combined with external application of Xiaozhong Sanjie Ointment(mainly composed of Scutellariae Radix,Coptidis Rhizoma,Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex,and Gleditsiae Spina,etc.)in the treatment of acute tonsillitis in children,and to observe their effects on the immune function and related inflammatory indexes of the patients.Methods A total of 116 children with acute tonsillitis of heat stagnation in the lung and stomach type were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group,with 58 cases in each group.The control group was treated with Cefixime Dispersible Tablets,while the observation group was treated with Jiawei Puji Xiaodu Granules for oral use and Xiaozhong Sanjie Ointment for external application.Both groups were treated for 14 days and then were followed-up for a period of 6 months.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,white blood cell(WBC)count,T lymphocyte subset CD3+,CD4+,CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ levels,and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),interleukin 1β(IL-1β),interleukin 6(IL-6)and C-reactive protein(CRP)in the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.Moreover,the clinical efficacy and time for the disappearance of clinical symptoms were compared between the two groups,and the occurrence of adverse reactions and the recurrence of tonsillitis in the two groups were monitored at the same time.Results(1)During the trial,there were 8 cases falling off in the control group but none case falling off in the observation group,and eventually 50 cases in the control group and 58 cases in the observation group completed the full course of treatment.(2)After 14 days of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 98.28%(57/58),while that of the control group was 90.00%(45/50).The intergroup(tested by rank sum test)showed that the clinical efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the time for the disappearance of sore throat,time for the disappearance of purulent spots,time for subsiding fever and time for the tonsils recovering to normal in the observation group were all significantly shorter than those in the control group(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the scores of primary and secondary symptoms and the overall symptom scores in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the reduction of the scores in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(5)After treatment,the levels of T lymphocyte subset CD3+,CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ in the two groups were significantly higher(P＜0.05)while the level of CD8 + was significantly lower(P＜0.05)than those before treatment,and the increase in the levels of CD3+,CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ and the reduction of the CD8+ level of the observation group were significantly superior to those of the control group(P＜0.05).(6)After treatment,the levels of WBC,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6 and CRP in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the reduction in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(7)During the treatment period,no skin allergy,nausea,vomiting or other gastrointestinal adverse reactions occurred in the two groups,which showed a high degree of safety.(8)The 6-month follow-up showed that the recurrence rate of tonsillitis in the observation group was 5.17%(3/58),which was significantly lower than that of 24.00%(12/50)in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(χ2 = 8.330,P＜0.05).Conclusion The efficacy of Jiawei Puji Xiaodu Granules combined with Xiaozhong Sanjie Ointment exert notable curative effect for children with acute tonsillitis of heat stagnation in the lung and stomach type.The combined therapy can significantly shorten the duration of the disease,improve the clinical symptoms of the children and effectively reduce the recurrence rate of tonsillitis.The therapeutic mechanism may be related to the enhancement of the immune function and the inhibition of inflammatory response.

Objective To investigate the distribution of the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitution types in the patients with nonspecific low back pain(NLBP)and to explore the correlation of the thickness of ligamentum flavum with the age,body mass index(BMI),gender,the presence of diabetes mellitus,and the grading of hypertension.Methods Sixty patients with NLBP admitted to Guangdong Second Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from January 2023 to June 2023 were selected as the study subjects.The TCM constitution types of the patients were identified,the thickness of the ligamentum flavum at lumbar vertebrae 4/5 segment(L4/5)disc level was measured by computerized tomography(CT)scanning,and the patients'age,genders,TCM constitution types,BMI,the presence or absence of diabetes mellitus,and hypertension grading were recorded.Correlation analysis and linear regression analysis were used for the exploration of the relevant influencing factors for the thickness of the ligamentum flavum of patients with NLBP.Results(1)The average thickness of ligamentum flavum in the 60 patients with NLBP was(2.60±0.72)mm.(2)The TCM constitutions of NLBP patients were classified into four types,of which blood stasis constitution was the most common,accounting for 21 cases(35.0%),followed by 19 cases(31.7%)of damp-heat constitution,12 cases(20.0%)of phlegm-damp constitution,and 8 cases(13.3%)of qi deficiency constitution.(3)The results of correlation analysis showed that BMI,gender,TCM constitution type and the presence or absence of diabetes mellitus had no influence on the thickness of ligamentum flavum in NLBP patients(P＞0.05),while the age and hypertension grading had an influence on the thickness of ligamentum flavum(P＜0.01).(4)The results of linear regression analysis showed that the age had an influence on the thickness of the ligamentum flavum(b = 0.034,t = 6.282,P＜0.01),while the influence of the hypertension grading had no influence on the thickness of the ligamentum flavum(P＞0.05).Conclusion The TCM constitution type of NLBP patients is predominated by blood stasis constitution,the thickness of ligamentum flavum is significantly affected by the age,and hypertension may be a potential factor affecting the thickness of ligamentum flavum.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of"triple-posture positive bone-setting"chiropractic manipulation combined with Tongluo Huoxue Formula for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis(LSS)with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.Methods Sixty patients with LSS of qi deficiency and blood stasis type were randomly divided into trial group and control group,with 30 cases in each group.The trial group was treated with"triple-posture positive bone-setting"chiropractic manipulation(a chiropractic manipulation performed under the positive cooperation of the patients at three postures)combined with Tongluo Huoxue Formula,while the control group was treated with"triple-posture positive bone-setting"chiropractic manipulation combined with conventional western medicine.The course of treatment for the two groups covered 4 weeks.Before and after treatment,the patients of the two groups were observed in the changes of pain visual analogue scale(VAS)score,Japanese Orthopedic Association(JOA)score of lumbar function,Oswestry Disability Index(ODI)score,straight-leg raising test results and serum interleukin 6(IL-6)and C-reactive protein(CRP)levels.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)After 4 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the trial group was 96.67％(29/30)and that of the control group was 63.33％(19/30).The intergroup comparison(tested by Fisher's exact test)showed that the clinical efficacy of the trial group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the lumbar function indicators of pain VAS scores and ODI scores in the trial group were significantly lower(P＜0.05),and the JOA scores were significantly higher than those before treatment(P＜0.05),while in the control group,only the ODI scores were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the decrease of VAS and ODI scores and the increase of JOA scores in the trial group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the Laseque s sign of the trial group was significantly improved compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05),while no significant improvement was presented in the control group(P＞0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the improvement of Laseque's sign in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the levels of serum inflammatory factors of IL-6 and CRP in the two groups were lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of serum IL-6 level in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05),but CRP level in the two groups after treatment did not differ from that before treatment,no statistically significant difference was shown between the two groups after treatment,either(P＞0.05).(5)The incidence of adverse reactions in the trial group was 6.67％(2/30)and that in the control group was 13.33％(4/30),and the intergroup comparison(by Fisher's exact test)showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion The therapeutic effect of"triple-posture positive bone-setting"chiropractic manipulation combined with Tongluo Huoxue Formula exert certain effect for the treatment of LSS patients with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome,and it has more obvious advantages in improving the lumbar function,promoting the rehabilitation of the patients,and lowering the level of serum inflammatory factors than"triple-posture positive bone-setting"chiropractic manipulation combined with conventional western medication.